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From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Letter to Peto & Radford Accumulator Co. Ltd. discussing lighting and starting batteries.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 38\5\  Scan018
Date  14th March 1919
  
X 3398

EFC4/T.
14th March 1919.

Messrs. Peto & Radford, Accumulator Co.Ltd.,
12 Heddon Street,
Regent Street,
London W.

Dear Sirs,

Re Lighting & Starting Batteries.

Many thanks for yours of the 7th instant. My letter to you was delayed as I was forced to be absent from the Works for a few days.

We note you are making progress with the ebonite battery which we are very anxious to receive.

We would very much like to try a rather smaller size battery, say of about three quarters the ampere hour capacity of the one already sent. Would it be possible to make us up one of these in ebonite? We have had it in mind for some considerable time that a rather smaller battery than a 60 ampere hour, would do all that we require. The winding of our starter motor is so arranged that it does not take a very heavy current. It is not necessary to do so because our chassis engine starts very easily at quite a moderate speed and we, therefore, use a rather large reduction ratio between motor and engine. We want to be able to try a smaller battery under road conditions for a considerable time, as if it is possible to run with a smaller one, we shall be very glad to be able to reduce the weight.

Very many thanks for your remarks regarding the changing of the acid. We had never been quite clear on this point as some-times it is very forcibly stated and at other times the matter seems to be quite ignored; would you kindly say whether it is so necessary in the case of the cells in ebonite boxes. We take it you would recommend it in all cases that the acid should be renewed, although your remarks seem to refer more particularly to celluloid batteries.

Thank you for your little booklet. There is one point on page 7 where you recommend running the dynamo without the battery to find the polarity- isn't this rather a risky procedure if there is any possibility of the lamps on the car being switched on, as with some dynamos there is an abnormal voltage rise when no battery is connected.

Yours faithfully,
  
  


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